| Author | Message | ||
     Kootenay |
I've had this niggling problem with my 2003 XB9R since I bought it (brand new, in January 05). If I stop hard when the fuel tank is about 1/3 or less full, the engine will stall. Now, I recently had the bike in to a dealer (took me two days to ride there, a day to ride home--no dealers around here!) to get a small problem solved under warranty. They did that, then spent far more time trying to track down the fuel problem (yes, the bike stalled on the mechanic, too). Everything checks out, though, and when they called Buell Canada customer service to ask for advice, they were told that the older XB's "just do that." Now, neither I, the mechanic, nor the service manager believe any XB's "just do that." However, since the dealer is in Canada, they are forced to go through Buell Canada. The service manager gave me the phone number for Buell customer service in the States, and I phoned them today--but made the mistake of mentioning that I'm in Canada, so I was told that they can't help me, since by contract everything has to go through Canadian customer service. I couldn't even ask if they'd confirm Buell Canada's statement that my bike is supposed to "just do that." So, anyone know? Is is common for older XB's to stall under braking? I'm not talking stoppies here, just firm braking--and the fact the problem is dependent on fuel level leads me to believe the pump is being starved by fuel sloshing forward, but I don't know how to go about confirming that diagnosis, or fixing the problem. Hmmm... To be honest, I never worried much about the problem, but after riding in the city for two days, with all the stoplights and potential drastic manoeuvering, I think this is a valid safety issue! | ||
| 99buellx1 |
They indeed 'just do that' The newer bikes, mid-year '05 change, have a different fuel pump that helps this situation. I do believe that it is a direct swap. | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
rule # 1....DO NOT believe anything that comes from the dealership. ask here for REAL answers and you will get the CORRECT answer. UNLESS IT COMES FROM DAVES OF COURSE..  GOOD LUCK! | ||
| Indy_bueller |
This is true. Thats the reason for the new fuel pump, as X1 said. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Common problem with the 03-04 xb's. 05 fuel pump was updated and changed the fuel pick-up. Solutions: 1)Don't stop so hard when fuel is low (not always something you can decide to do or not) 2) Keep more fuel in bike (cheap, but impractical on the street) 3) put fuel cell foam in tank to prevent fuel sloshing (cheap, but to do it right you need to remove the fuel pump) 4) replace existing fuel pump with new model (the most expensive, but ultimately the best fix) Hope this helps. Most people that run into this problem are racers, and it's usually when the bike stalls in turn 1 with someone hard on your heels. | ||
| Kootenay |
OK, thanks guys. I did get in contact with Buell Canada (they called me back--quite quickly, too!) and was told that yes, this is a known design problem in the early XBs, and was fixed with an upgrade to the fuel pump assembly in 05. However, since it is not considered a defect, it is not covered under warranty. Fair enough. But, how do I go about fixing it, short of replacing the pump assembly? The guy's gonna try to find out if there is a simple mod I can do to the fuel pump assembly to solve the problem--he thinks it might be as simple as reversing the pickup filter...any one know? The "fuel cell foam" Diablobrian mentions--what is it? Is it solid, a "thing" I can add once, or is it a liquid additive that goes in the fuel? The fact is, that even with this and a few other minor niggles, and the less-than-stellar dealership experience at the place I purchased from originally (not the place I go for service now) I still absolutely love my Buell! | ||
| Diablobrian |
The fuel cell foam is an open cell foam that is added as blocks into the tank. It is a one time fix. I believe it's available through summit racing, or jegs. http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=115+%2D118218&D=%2D118218 or http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?lang=-1&catalogId= 10002&storeId=10001&categoryId=21563 | ||
| Kootenay |
Thanks for the info and links, Brian. You're definitely quicker on the reply than even Buell Customer Service...  (Message edited by Kootenay on June 29, 2006) | ||
| Mr_cuell |
I wonder why it is not considered a defect - it happens to me during hard street riding, and it shouldn't happen then or on a track. Its a pain on the street and on the track it would be completely unacceptable. Why would Buell just say "Oh well . . " | ||
| Garp |
I would guess that is enough people filed complaints with the NHTSA, then it may trigger a recall. There have been large Auto recalls before for similar issues, as this can cause an accident. You can file complaints on line at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ I have used the form before to report issues with my Jeep. |
